Garment for use with sleeveless outfit and method of use

ABSTRACT

A garment including a pair of arm sleeves and an inter-changeable or integral connector piece. The pair of arm sleeves include a first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve configured to cover the arms of a user. The connector piece is configured to connect the first arm sleeve at an upper end thereof and the second arm sleeve at an upper end thereof. The connector piece is worn on tlte back of tlic user between the shoulder blade regions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to garment accessories and, more particularly, to a garment for keeping a user's arms warming while wearing a sleeveless outfit.

2. Description of the Related Art

Women can often be uncomfortable in a chilly environment wearing a sleeveless outfit, leaving them with cold arms. This can happen in a plethora of environments, a restaurant, a movie theater, a concert, an outdoor event, an airplane, sitting at a desk, lying in bed reading, a sporting event, a play, the opera, an indoor event such as a convention, or anywhere there is air conditioning. A sweater or jacket can most likely be cumbersome to carry, put in a purse, or wrap around the neck or waist, especially if the main garments being worn are dressy, sexy or simply summer attire. The dilemma here is that if a woman wants to look great and yet keep her arms warm without a large warming garment, up until now, there have been no options offered to simply enhance the outfit without lugging around a larger piece of clothing. Such larger pieces of clothing not only warm the arms, but undesirably, the upper torso of the body as well, which is not always cold.

It is inevitable that a high percentage of women, once they reach a certain age, find that their upper arms, no matter how much they may work out, have lost skin elasticity therefore making the upper arms arguably unattractive. Women that are overweight often feel that their arms look bumpy and jiggly and too unattractive to show off. As will be discussed below, the present invention allows women to have greater latitude in wearing stylish sleeveless garments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a garment including a pair of arm sleeves and an interchangeable connector piece. The pair of arm sleeves include a first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve configured to cover the arms of a user. The interchangeable connector piece is configured to connect the first arm sleeve at an upper end thereof; and, the second arm sleeve, at an upper end thereof. The interchangeable connector piece is worn on the back of the user between the shoulder blade regions.

In one embodiment the interchangeable connector piece includes a backpiece; a first backpiece attachment component; and, a second backpiece attachment component. The backpiece has a first outer edge and a second outer edge. The first backpiece attachment component is securely attached to the first outer edge of the backpiece. The second backpiece attachment component is securely attached to the second outer edge of the backpiece. The pair of arm sleeves includes a first sleeve attachment component securely attached to the upper end of the first arm sleeve. The second sleeve attachment component is securely attached to the upper end of the second arm sleeve.

Alternatively, the sewn-in backpiece connector is permanently attached to the upper ends of each sleeve, therefore making this option of the invention design an integral one, i.e. “all-in-one”. This variation of the design omits the use of the attachment components.

In another broad aspect, the invention is embodied as a method for warming the arms of a user of a sleeveless outfit. This method includes selecting a pair of arm sleeves comprising a first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve configured to cover the arms of a user; selecting a connector piece configured to connect the first arm sleeve at an upper end thereof and the second arm sleeve at an upper end thereof; connecting the connector piece to the pair of arm sleeves; and, wearing the connected pair of arm sleeves and the connected connector piece so that the connector piece is worn on the back of the user between the shoulder blade regions..

In another embodiment, the invention is embodied as a method for warming the arms of a user of a sleeveless outfit. The method includes selecting a garment having a pair of arm sleeves including a first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve. The arm sleeves are configured to cover the arms of a user. A connector piece is configured to connect the first arm sleeve at an upper end thereof and the second arm sleeve at an upper end thereof. The garment is placed on the user so that the arm sleeves are placed over the arms of the user, and the connector piece is worn on the back of the user between the shoulder blade regions, the arm sleeves for warming the arms of a user. In this embodiment the connector piece is integral with the sleeves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is front view of a preferred embodiment of the garment of the present invention on a wearer.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the garment of FIG. 1 on a wearer.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, isolated view of the connector piece of the FIG. 1-4 embodiment which uses a button/loop attachment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative connector piece with two sets of attachment components.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative connector piece including snap attachment components.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative connector piece including VELCRO® hook and loop fastener attachment components.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment having an integral (e.g. “sewn-in”) backpiece connector permanently attached to the upper ends of each sleeve.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative garment with sleeves including thumbholes.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative garment with sleeves including finger loops.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment of the garment of the present invention, designated generally as 10. Garment 10 includes a pair of arm sleeves including a first arm sleeve 12 and a second arm sleeve 14 configured to cover the arms of a user. An interchangeable connector piece 16 connects the arm sleeves 12, 14 at upper ends 18, 20 thereof. The interchangeable connector piece 16 is worn on the back of the user between the shoulder blade regions.

The interchangeable connector piece 16 includes a backpiece 22 having a first outer edge 24 and a second outer edge 26. A first backpiece attachment component 28 is securely attached to the first outer edge 24 of the backpiece 22. A second backpiece attachment component 30 is securely attached to the second outer edge 26 of the backpiece 22. (An example of a second backpiece attachment component 30 is shown in, for example, FIGS. 4 and 5 as a loop. The corresponding first backpiece attachment component 28 (not shown enlarged) is typically the same, such as a loop.)

A first sleeve attachment component 32 is securely attached to the upper end 18 of the first arm sleeve 14. A second sleeve attachment component 34 is securely attached to the upper end 20 of the second arm sleeve 12. (An example of a second sleeve attachment component 34 is shown in, for example FIG. 5 as a button.)

Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 the backpiece attachment components and the sleeve attachment components are collectively button/loop. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment where instead of a single backpiece attachment component/sleeve attachment component combination is shown there are two sets of attachment components being utilized. In other embodiments, additional sets of attachment components may be utilized.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of attachment components, including a snap backpiece attachment component 36 and a complementary snap sleeve attachment component 38. FIG. 8 shows use of a VELCRO® hook and loop fastener 40, 42.

Thus, it is understood that various different types of suitable attachment components can be utilized, including for example, in addition to those discussed above, hook & eye fasteners, clasps, grommets, zippers, invisible hidden sewn magnet snaps.

The backpiece may be formed of a variety of suitable materials, including, for example, lace, velvet, satin, jewelry, elastic, flannel, fleece, knit, cotton, polyester, rayon, chains and charms.

In some embodiments elastic material may be used in the arm sleeves 12, 14 to comfortably hold the arms sleeves to the shoulder of the user. For example, elastic material 44, may be sewn into the arm sleeves 12, 14 as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment is illustrated, designated generally as 45, in which the arm sleeves are integrally connected to the connector piece. Typically, the arm sleeves and connector piece are sewn together. This integral design optimizes comfort, for example, around the home, Such a design may not be elegantly tapered. Other more elegant designs may include lace or velvet fabric sleeves.

The sleeves may have varying designs. Referring now to FIG. 10, an embodiment of the garment is illustrated, designated generally as 46 with sleeves 48 including thumbholes 50. The thumbholes 50 may be cut into the sleeve 48 to place the thumb through, thus helping to secure each sleeve 48 over the top part of the hand.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an embodiment of the garment is illustrated, designated generally as 52 with sleeves 54 including finger loops 56. The finger loops 56, like the thumbholes, help secure the sleeve to the hand.

As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A garment, comprising: a pair of arm sleeves comprising a first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve configured to cover the arms of a user; and, an interchangeable connector piece configured to connect said first arm sleeve at an upper end thereof and the second arm sleeve at an upper end thereof; wherein said interchangeable connector piece is worn on the back of the user between the shoulder blade regions.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable connector piece comprises: a) a backpiece having a first outer edge and a second outer edge; b) a first backpiece attachment component securely attached to said first outer edge of said backpiece; and, c) a second backpiece attachment component securely attached to said second outer edge of said backpiece.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein: a) said interchangeable connector piece comprises:
 1. a backpiece having a first outer edge and a second outer edge;
 2. a first backpiece attachment component securely attached to said first outer edge of said backpiece; and,
 3. a second backpiece attachment component securely attached to said second outer edge of said backpiece; and, b) said pair of arm sleeves comprises:
 1. a first sleeve attachment component securely attached to said upper end of the first arm sleeve; and,
 2. a second sleeve attachment component securely attached to said upper end of the second arm sleeve.
 4. The garment of claim 2, wherein the first backpiece attachment component and the second backpiece component are selected from the group of attachment components consisting of: snaps, buttons, hook & eye fasteners, VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners, clasps, grommets, zippers, invisible hidden sewn magnet snaps.
 5. The garment of claim 2, wherein the backpiece is formed of material selected from the group materials selected from: lace, velvet, satin, jewelry, elastic, flannel, fleece, knit, cotton, polyester, rayon, chains and charms.
 6. The garment of claim 2, wherein said first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve include elastic material.
 7. A method for warming the arms of a user of a sleeveless outfit, comprising the steps of: a) selecting a pair of arm sleeves comprising a first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve configured to cover the arms of a user; b) selecting a connector piece configured to connect said first arm sleeve at an upper end thereof and the second arm sleeve at an upper end thereof; c) connecting said connector piece to said pair of arm sleeves; and, d) wearing the connected pair of arm sleeves and the connected connector piece so that the connector piece is worn on the back of the user between the shoulder blade regions.
 8. A method for warming the arms of a user of a sleeveless outfit, comprising the steps of: a) selecting a garment, comprising: i) a pair of arm sleeves comprising a first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve configured to cover the arms of a user; and, ii) a connector piece configured to connect said first arm sleeve at an upper end thereof and the second arm sleeve at an upper end thereof; b) placing the garment on the user so that the arm sleeves are placed over the arms of the user and the connector piece is worn on the back of the user between the shoulder blade regions, the arm sleeves warming the arms of a user.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said pair of arm sleeves and said connector piece are interchangeably connected.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said pair of arm sleeves and said connector piece are integrally connected.
 11. A garment, comprising: a pair of arm sleeves comprising a first arm sleeve and a second arm sleeve configured to cover the arms of a user, said first and second arm sleeves each having a thumbhole at ends thereof; and, a connector piece configured to connect said first arm sleeve at an upper end thereof and the second arm sleeve at an upper end thereof; wherein said connector piece is worn on the back of the user between the shoulder blade regions. 